220-1101 Question 104
Single answerLegacy/embedded systemsA medical office uses an older label printer connected to a Windows workstation that sends jobs to a legacy embedded controller over a serial connection. After the workstation was replaced, printing stopped. The new workstation has USB ports but no DB-9 serial port. Device Manager shows no COM ports, and the printer software only allows selection of COM1 through COM4. The office needs the fastest, lowest-risk solution that preserves the existing workflow and software. What should the technician do FIRST?
- A
Install a USB-to-serial adapter and configure it to use an available COM port supported by the application
- B
Replace the label printer with a network-capable model and migrate the office to TCP/IP printing
- C
Use a USB-to-parallel adapter because legacy printers typically communicate over LPT ports
- D
Connect the printer through a KVM switch so the workstation can emulate a hardware serial interface
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Legacy and embedded systems often depend on older interfaces such as RS-232 serial connections and software that expects fixed COM-port assignments. On A+ Core 1, technicians are expected to recognize practical support methods for legacy hardware, including using adapter solutions when modern systems no longer include native ports. In this scenario, a USB-to-serial adapter is the best first action because it preserves the current printer, embedded controller, and software workflow with minimal change. After driver installation, the technician should verify the assigned COM port in Device Manager and, if necessary, manually reassign it to a supported port number such as COM1-COM4. This aligns with standard troubleshooting and change-minimization practices used when supporting legacy business equipment.
- A. Correct.
Correct. In a legacy or embedded-system environment, the preferred first step is usually the least disruptive method that preserves the existing application and device behavior. A USB-to-serial adapter can provide a COM port on a modern system that lacks a physical DB-9 port. After installing the proper driver, the adapter typically appears in Device Manager as a COM port, and the technician can assign it to COM1-COM4 if required by the older software. This is a common and practical approach for supporting serial-based embedded devices and legacy peripherals.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Replacing the printer and redesigning the workflow may eventually work, but it is not the fastest or lowest-risk first step. In environments using embedded or legacy systems, especially medical and line-of-business workflows, changing hardware and printing methods can introduce compatibility, validation, and training issues. A+ best practice emphasizes using the least invasive solution first when maintaining legacy systems.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. This reflects a common misconception that all older printers use parallel connections. The scenario specifically states the device communicates over a serial connection and the software expects COM1 through COM4, which indicates RS-232 serial, not LPT/parallel. A USB-to-parallel adapter would not solve a missing serial port requirement.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A KVM switch is used to share keyboard, video, and mouse peripherals among multiple computers. It does not provide serial-port emulation for a printer application and is unrelated to restoring COM port access for legacy serial communications.